The sixth annual Carz N’ Toyz Toy Run will begin in Cherry Hill on Saturday and St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church will host the Garden State Chorale for a Christmas concert Saturday evening.
The holidays are in full swing across the region this weekend. Residents can give back in South Jersey at a local toy run or participate in holiday festivities down the shore or in the city. Check out this list of some of the holiday activities taking place this weekend.
In Cherry Hill
- Help brighten a child’s day at Virtua Hospital this holiday season and participate in the sixth annual Carz N’ Toyz Toy Run. The event takes place on Saturday morning, beginning at Caffe Aldo Lamberti. At 9 a.m., participants will gather ay the restaurant and enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast. At 10 a.m., a police escort will lead a caravan of cars and truck full of more than 1,000 toys to Virtua Hospital in Voorhees. A human chain will pass the gifts from the truck into the hospital. For more information, visit www.carzntoyz.org.
- Residents can get into the holiday spirit at St. Andrew’s United Methodist Church on Saturday as the Garden State Chorale performs its 85th annual Christmas Concert. Performances will take place at 2 and 7:30 p.m. The concert includes sacred and secular music, including some interesting new arrangements of carols and other holiday favorites. Proceeds from the concert help to fund the chorale’s annual scholarship program. Tickets are available at reduced advanced-sale donation prices of $12 for adults, $9 for seniors and $6 for students. Plenty of parking is available at the church. For more information about the group, tickets or for driving directions to the venue, visit the Chorale’s website, www.gschorale.org.
Around South Jersey
· A holiday tradition returns to Mullica Hill this weekend as the Mullica Hill Merchants Association holds its 43rd annual Christmas House Tour on Saturday from 2 to 7 p.m. The event takes place in Mullica Hill Village along Main Street. Seven homes and churches will open their doors to show off their finest Christmas decorations. Santa will be there along with carolers and live music. There will readings of “A Christmas Carol” at Old Town Hall and an old-fashioned tree display at Four Seasons. The cost is $10 to attend. Visit www.mullicahill.com for more information.
· Pets have the chance to meet Santa Claus on Saturday as Pet Photos with Santa comes to Winslow Animal Hospital. From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Santa will be taking photos with pets. A $15 donation is requested, which will support local animal shelters. Call (856) 875–1323 to reserve your time slot. The Winslow Animal Hospital is located at 640 Sicklerville Road in Sicklerville.
At the Jersey Shore
· Ring in the holidays in Wildwood this weekend at the ninth annual Family Holiday Celebration. On Saturday, there will be a variety of family-friendly activities, pictures with Santa and a holiday bazaar. All Saturday activities will take place at the Wildwoods Convention Center. Admission is free on Saturday. Visit www.wildwoodholiday.com for a full list of entertainment and activities.
In Philadelphia
· The Delaware River will be lit up for holidays on Saturday during the annual Parade of Lights. Beginning at 11 a.m., the Independence Seaport Museum at 211 South Columbus Boulevard will host a variety of holiday activities. At 5:30 p.m., the parade will begin as boats decorated in thousands of lights float down the Delaware River. Boats will pass the Battleship New Jersey on the Camden Waterfront, Winterfest on Penn’s Landing and then loop back to the museum. For more information on the event, visit www.phillyseaport.org/lights.
· A winter wonderland will take over East Passyunk on Saturday as the neighborhood hosts its second Artic Avenue Festival beginning at 11 a.m. The event includes live ice carving, an ornament show, cocktail crawl, holiday music and more. For a full list of activities, visit www.visiteastpassyunk.com/events/arctic-ave–holiday-second-saturday.php.
